Methods and systems for an optimized proportional assist ventilation

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing an optimized proportional assist breath type during ventilation of a patient. The disclosure describes a novel breath type that delivers a target airway pressure calculated based on a desired patient effort range to a triggering patient.

INTRODUCTION

Medical ventilator systems have long been used to provide ventilatory and supplemental oxygen support to patients. These ventilators typically comprise a source of pressurized oxygen which is fluidly connected to the patient through a conduit or tubing. As each patient may require a different ventilation strategy, modern ventilators can be customized for the particular needs of an individual patient. For example, several different ventilator modes or settings have been created to provide better ventilation for patients in various different scenarios.

Optimized Proportional Assist Ventilation

This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing an optimized proportional assist breath type during ventilation of a patient. The disclosure describes a novel breath type that delivers a target airway pressure calculated based on a desired patient effort range to a triggering patient.

In part, this disclosure describes a method for ventilating a patient with a ventilator. The method includes:

a) retrieving a desired patient effort range;

b) estimating an initial percent support setting based on the desired patient effort range;

c) calculating a target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting; and

d) delivering the target airway pressure to a patient.

Yet another aspect of this disclosure describes a ventilator system that includes: a pressure generating system; a ventilation tubing system; one or more sensors; a support module; and an OPA module. The pressure generating system is adapted to generate a flow of breathing gas. The ventilation tubing system includes a patient interface for connecting the pressure generating system to a patient. The one or more sensors are operatively coupled to at least one of the pressure generating system, the patient, and the ventilation tubing system. The one or more sensors generate output indicative of the inspiration flow. The support module estimates an initial percent support setting based at least on a desired patient effort range and calculates at least one adjusted percent support setting based at least on the desired patient effort range, and a current patient effort. The OPA module calculates an initial target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting, calculates at least one adjusted target airway pressure based at least on an adjusted percent support setting, and utilizes the output indicative of the inspiration flow to determine a patient trigger for delivery of a breath to the patient.

The disclosure further describes a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for ventilating a patient with a ventilator. The method includes:

a) repeatedly retrieving a desired patient effort range;

b) estimating an initial percent support setting based on the desired patient effort range;

c) repeatedly calculating a target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting; and

d) repeatedly delivering the target airway pressure to a patient.

The disclosure also describes a ventilator system including means for retrieving a desired patient effort range, means for estimating an initial percent support setting based on the desired patient effort range, means for calculating a target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting, and means for delivering the target airway pressure to a patient.

These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the systems and methods described herein will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. Additional features are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the technology. The benefits and features of the technology will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application, are illustrative of embodiments of systems and methods described below and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any manner, which scope shall be based on the claims appended hereto.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a ventilator.

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a method for ventilating a patient on a ventilator during a first breath in an optimized proportional assist breath type.

FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of a method for ventilating a patient on a ventilator during any breath after a first delivered breath in an optimized proportional assist breath type.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of method for ventilating a patient on a ventilator based on a desired treatment metric range during an optimized proportional assist breath type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the techniques introduced above and discussed in detail below may be implemented for a variety of medical devices, the present disclosure will discuss the implementation of these techniques in the context of a medical ventilator for use in providing ventilation support to a human patient. A person of skill in the art will understand that the technology described in the context of a medical ventilator for human patients could be adapted for use with other systems such as ventilators for non-human patients and general gas transport systems.

Medical ventilators are used to provide a breathing gas to a patient who may otherwise be unable to breathe sufficiently. In modern medical facilities, pressurized air and oxygen sources are often available from wall outlets. Accordingly, ventilators may provide pressure regulating valves (or regulators) connected to centralized sources of pressurized air and pressurized oxygen. The regulating valves function to regulate flow so that respiratory gas having a desired concentration of oxygen is supplied to the patient at desired pressures and rates. Ventilators capable of operating independently of external sources of pressurized air are also available.

While operating a ventilator, it is desirable to control the percentage of oxygen in the gas supplied by the ventilator to the patient. Further, as each patient may require a different ventilation strategy, modern ventilators can be customized for the particular needs of an individual patient. For example, several different ventilator breath types have been created to provide better ventilation for patients in various different scenarios.

Effort-based breath types, such as proportional assist (PA) ventilation, dynamically determine the amount of ventilatory support to deliver based on a continuous estimation/calculation of patient effort and respiratory characteristics. The resulting dynamically generated profile is computed in real- or quasi-real-time and used by the ventilator as a set of points for control of applicable parameters.

Initiation and execution of an effort-based breath, such as PA, has two operation prerequisites: (1) detection of an inspiratory trigger; and (2) detection and measurement of an appreciable amount of patient respiratory effort to constitute a sufficient reference above a ventilator's control signal error deadband. Advanced, sophisticated triggering technologies detect initiation of inspiratory efforts efficiently. In ventilation design, patient effort may be represented by the estimated inspiratory muscle pressure (patient effort) and is calculated based on measured patient inspiration flow. Patient effort is utilized to calculate a target airway pressure for the inspiration. The target airway pressure as used herein is the airway pressure measured at the ventilator-patient interface and is calculated on an on-going basis using patient effort according to the equation of motion. In other words, the target airway pressure is the amount of pressure delivered by the ventilator to the patient.

A PA breath type refers to a type of ventilation in which the ventilator acts as an inspiratory amplifier that provides pressure support based on the patient's effort. The degree of amplification (the “percent support setting”) during a PA breath type is set by an operator, for example as a percentage based on the patient's effort. In one implementation of a PA breath type, the ventilator may continuously monitor the patient's instantaneous inspiratory flow and instantaneous net lung volume, which are indicators of the patient's inspiratory effort. These signals, together with ongoing estimates of the patient's lung compliance and lung/airway resistance and the Equation of Motion (Target Pressure(t)=E_(p)∫Q_(p)dt+Q_(p)R_(p)−Patient Effort(t)), allow the ventilator to estimate/calculate a patient effort and derive therefrom a target airway pressure to provide the support that assists the patient's inspiratory muscles to the degree selected by the operator as the percent support setting. Q_(p) is the instantaneous flow inhaled by the patient, and E_(p) and R_(Q) are the patient's respiratory elastance and resistance, respectively. In this equation the patient effort is inspiratory muscle pressure and is negative. The percent support setting input by the operator divides the total work of breathing calculated between the patient and the ventilator as shown in the equations below:

Patient Effort(t)=(1.0−k)[E _(p) ∫Q _(p) dt+Q _(p) R _(p)];  1) and

Target Airway Pressure(t)=k[E _(p) ∫Q _(p) dt+Q _(p) R _(p)].  2)

Patient Effort(t) is the amount of pressure provided by the patient at a time t, Target airway pressure(t) is the amount of pressure provided by the ventilator at the time t, total support ([E_(p)∫Q_(p)dt+Q_(p)R_(p)]) is the sum of contributions by the patient and ventilator, and k is the percent support setting (percentage of total support to be contributed by the ventilator) input by the operator.

During PA breath types, the percent support setting is input by the operator of the ventilator and does not vary. Clinicians, typically, do not utilize a percent support setting unless operating a PA breath type. Accordingly, often times, clinicians or ventilator operators are unfamiliar with a percent support setting and need additional training to learn how to use a proportional assist breath type appropriately. Further, during the previously utilized PA breath types, the patient effort was only estimated/calculated. The ventilator did not attempt to control or change the amount of effort exerted by the patient. Accordingly, the patient could exert too much effort resulting in fatigue from over-loading or the patient could exert too little effort leading to muscle atrophy from non-use.

Researchers have discovered that maintaining a desired patient effort can provide the patient with several benefits. For example, certain patient efforts prevent muscle atrophy from non-use while at the same time prevent muscle fatigue from over-loading. Further, controlling and/or adjusting a patient's effort can also help to maintain a desired treatment metric range.

Accordingly, the current disclosure describes an optimized proportional assist (OPA) breath type for ventilating a patient. The OPA breath type is similar to the PA breath type except that the OPA breath type delivers a target airway pressure to the patient calculated based on a desired patient effort range for a triggering patient instead of being based on an input percent support setting. Accordingly, the ventilator estimates an initial percent support setting during the OPA breath type in an attempt to achieve a patient effort in the desired range. The target airway pressure delivered to the patient is calculated based on the estimated initial percent support setting. After the delivery of the target airway pressure based on the estimated initial percent support setting, the ventilator periodically calculates/estimates the actual amount of patient effort or the current patient effort exerted by the patient. The ventilator compares the current patient effort to the desired patient effort range. If the current the patient effort is not within the desired patient effort range, the ventilator modifies the percent support setting in an attempt to deliver a target airway pressure that will cause the patient to exert a patient effort in the desired patient effort range in the next breath. In some embodiments, the desired patient effort range is input or selected by the operator of the ventilator. Most clinicians are familiar with patient effort levels. Accordingly, an OPA breath type requires minimal training or education for proper use by clinicians. Further, the OPA breath type allows clinicians to better manage the patient's contribution to the total work of breathing.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the ventilator during the OPA breath type may determine the desired patient effort range based on a desired treatment metric range. The desired treatment metric range (e.g., a rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) range) is input or selected by the operator. In these embodiments, the percent support setting is adjusted until the current patient effort is maintained within the desired patient effort range for at least two consecutive breaths. Once the current patient effort is maintained within the desired patient effort range, one or more ventilator parameters (e.g., positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), rise time, and oxygen percentage) and/or their derivatives (e.g., windowed history, trends, windowed statistics, rate of change with respect to other factors, and etc.) are adjusted until the current treatment metric and/or their derivatives (e.g., windowed history, trends, windowed statistics, rate of change with respect to other factors, and etc.) is within the desired treatment metric range.

As used herein, patient parameters are any parameters determined based on measurements taken of the patient, such as heart rate, respiration rate, a blood oxygen level (SpO₂), inspiratory lung flow, airway pressure, and etc. As used herein, ventilator parameters are parameters that are determined by the ventilator and/or are input into the ventilator by an operator, such as a breath type, desired patient effort, and etc. Some parameters may be either ventilator and/or patient parameters depending upon whether or not they are input into the ventilator by an operator or determined by the ventilator. Accordingly, the treatment metric is a ventilator parameter.

The percent support setting and the ventilator parameters are adjusted based on algorithms and optimization programming techniques to provide advisory input and/or automatic adjustments to ventilation parameters (e.g., percent support in OPA) and/or a timed changes in ventilation modality (patient-triggered or ventilator-driven breath delivery) to increase the efficiency and confidence in the predictive nature of the desired treatment metric range. In other words, the algorithms and optimization programming techniques adjust the percent support setting and one or more ventilator parameters in an attempt to get the current treatment metric within the desired treatment metric range.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exemplary ventilator 100 connected to a human patient 150. Ventilator 100 includes a pneumatic system 102 (also referred to as a pressure generating system 102) for circulating breathing gases to and from patient 150 via the ventilation tubing system 130, which couples the patient 150 to the pneumatic system 102 via an invasive (e.g., endotracheal tube, as shown) or a non-invasive (e.g., nasal mask) patient interface 180.

Ventilation tubing system 130 (or patient circuit 130) may be a two-limb (shown) or a one-limb circuit for carrying gases to and from the patient 150. In a two-limb embodiment, a fitting, typically referred to as a “wye-fitting” 170, may be provided to couple a patient interface 180 (as shown, an endotracheal tube) to an inspiratory limb 132 and an expiratory limb 134 of the ventilation tubing system 130.

Pneumatic system 102 may be configured in a variety of ways. In the present example, pneumatic system 102 includes an expiratory module 108 coupled with the expiratory limb 134 and an inspiratory module 104 coupled with the inspiratory limb 132. Compressor 106 or other source(s) of pressurized gases (e.g., air, oxygen, and/or helium) is coupled with inspiratory module 104 and the expiratory module 108 to provide a gas source for ventilatory support via inspiratory limb 132.

The inspiratory module 104 is configured to deliver gases to the patient 150 according to prescribed ventilatory settings. In some embodiments, inspiratory module 104 is configured to provide ventilation according to various breath types, e.g., via volume-control, pressure-control, OPA, or via any other suitable breath types.

The expiratory module 108 is configured to release gases from the patient's lungs according to prescribed ventilatory settings. Specifically, expiratory module 108 is associated with and/or controls an expiratory valve for releasing gases from the patient 150.

The ventilator 100 may also include one or more sensors 107 communicatively coupled to ventilator 100. The sensors 107 may be located in the pneumatic system 102, ventilation tubing system 130, and/or on the patient 150. The embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates a sensor 107 in pneumatic system 102.

Sensors 107 may communicate with various components of ventilator 100, e.g., pneumatic system 102, other sensors 107, processor 116, support module 117, OPA module 118, and any other suitable components and/or modules. In one embodiment, sensors 107 generate output and send this output to pneumatic system 102, other sensors 107, processor 116, support module 117, OPA module 118, treatment module 119 and any other suitable components and/or modules. Sensors 107 may employ any suitable sensory or derivative technique for monitoring one or more patient parameters or ventilator parameters associated with the ventilation of a patient 150. Sensors 107 may detect changes in patient parameters indicative of patient triggering, for example. Sensors 107 may be placed in any suitable location, e.g., within the ventilatory circuitry or other devices communicatively coupled to the ventilator 100. Further, sensors 107 may be placed in any suitable internal location, such as, within the ventilatory circuitry or within components or modules of ventilator 100. For example, sensors 107 may be coupled to the inspiratory and/or expiratory modules for detecting changes in, for example, circuit pressure and/or flow. In other examples, sensors 107 may be affixed to the ventilatory tubing or may be embedded in the tubing itself. According to some embodiments, sensors 107 may be provided at or near the lungs (or diaphragm) for detecting a pressure in the lungs. Additionally or alternatively, sensors 107 may be affixed or embedded in or near wye-fitting 170 and/or patient interface 180. Indeed, any sensory device useful for monitoring changes in measurable parameters during ventilatory treatment may be employed in accordance with embodiments described herein.

As should be appreciated, with reference to the Equation of Motion, ventilatory parameters are highly interrelated and, according to embodiments, may be either directly or indirectly monitored. That is, parameters may be directly monitored by one or more sensors 107, as described above, or may be indirectly monitored or estimated/calculated using a model, such as a model derived from the Equation of Motion (e.g., Target Airway Pressure(t)=E_(p)∫Q_(p)dt+Q_(p)R_(p)−Patient Effort(t)).

The pneumatic system 102 may include a variety of other components, including mixing modules, valves, tubing, accumulators, filters, etc. Controller 110 is operatively coupled with pneumatic system 102, signal measurement and acquisition systems, and an operator interface 120 that may enable an operator to interact with the ventilator 100 (e.g., change ventilator settings, select operational modes, view monitored parameters, etc.).

In one embodiment, the operator interface 120 of the ventilator 100 includes a display 122 communicatively coupled to ventilator 100. Display 122 provides various input screens, for receiving clinician input, and various display screens, for presenting useful information to the clinician. In one embodiment, the display 122 is configured to include a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may be an interactive display, e.g., a touch-sensitive screen or otherwise, and may provide various windows and elements for receiving input and interface command operations. Alternatively, other suitable means of communication with the ventilator 100 may be provided, for instance by a wheel, keyboard, mouse, or other suitable interactive device. Thus, operator interface 120 may accept commands and input through display 122. Display 122 may also provide useful information in the form of various ventilatory data regarding the physical condition of a patient 150. The useful information may be derived by the ventilator 100, based on data collected by a processor 116, and the useful information may be displayed to the clinician in the form of graphs, wave representations, pie graphs, text, or other suitable forms of graphic display. For example, patient data may be displayed on the GUI and/or display 122. Additionally or alternatively, patient data may be communicated to a remote monitoring system coupled via any suitable means to the ventilator 100. In one embodiment, the display 122 may display one or more of a current patient effort, a desired patient effort range, a desired treatment metric range, a current treatment metric, a RSBI, SpO₂, a mouth pressures measured at 100 milliseconds (ms) after the onset of inspiratory effort (P100), a tidal volume, a volumetric carbon dioxide (VCO₂), a respiratory rate, a spontaneous inspiration to expiration ratio (I:E) volume, a minute volume, an initial percent support setting, and an adjusted percent support setting.

Controller 110 may include memory 112, one or more processors 116, storage 114, and/or other components of the type commonly found in command and control computing devices. Controller 110 may further include a support module 117, an OPA module 118, and treatment module 119 configured to deliver gases to the patient 150 according to prescribed breath types as illustrated in FIG. 1. In alternative embodiments, the support module 117, the OPA module 118, and the treatment module 119 may be located in other components of the ventilator 100, such as the pressure generating system 102 (also known as the pneumatic system 102).

The memory 112 includes non-transitory, computer-readable storage media that stores software that is executed by the processor 116 and which controls the operation of the ventilator 100. In an embodiment, the memory 112 includes one or more solid-state storage devices such as flash memory chips. In an alternative embodiment, the memory 112 may be mass storage connected to the processor 116 through a mass storage controller (not shown) and a communications bus (not shown). Although the description of computer-readable media contained herein refers to a solid-state storage, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that computer-readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by the processor 116. That is, computer-readable storage media includes non-transitory, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. For example, computer-readable storage media includes RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

The inspiratory module 104 receives a breath type from the OPA module 118. The OPA module 118 receives a percent support setting for the breath type from the support module 117. In some embodiments, the OPA module 118 and/or the support module 117 are part of the controller 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the OPA module 118 and/or the support module 117 are part of the processor 116, pneumatic system 102, and/or a separate computing device in communication with the ventilator 100.

Initiation and execution of an OPA breath type has two operation prerequisites: (1) detection of an inspiratory trigger; and (2) determining and commanding target airway pressures to be delivered to the patient 150 during inspiration. A patient trigger is calculated based on a measured or monitored patient inspiration flow. Any suitable type of triggering detection for determining a patient trigger may be utilized by the ventilator 100, such as nasal detection, diaphragm detection, and/or brain signal detection. Further, the ventilator 100 may detect patient triggering via a pressure-monitoring method, a flow-monitoring method, direct or indirect measurement of neuromuscular signals, or any other suitable method. Sensors 107 suitable for this detection may include any suitable sensing device as known by a person of skill in the art for a ventilator.

According to an embodiment, a pressure-triggering method may involve the ventilator 100 monitoring the circuit pressure, and detecting a slight drop in circuit pressure. The slight drop in circuit pressure may indicate that the patient's respiratory muscles are creating a slight negative pressure that in turn generates a pressure gradient between the patient's lungs and the airway opening in an effort to inspire. The ventilator 100 may interpret the slight drop in circuit pressure as a patient trigger and may consequently initiate inspiration by delivering respiratory gases.

Alternatively, the ventilator 100 may detect a flow-triggered event. Specifically, the ventilator 100 may monitor the circuit flow, as described above. If the ventilator 100 detects a slight drop in the base flow through the exhalation module during exhalation, this may indicate, again, that the patient 150 is attempting to inspire. In this case, the ventilator 100 is detecting a drop in bias flow (or baseline flow) attributable to a slight redirection of gases into the patient's lungs (in response to a slightly negative pressure gradient as discussed above). Bias flow refers to a constant flow existing in the circuit during exhalation that enables the ventilator 100 to detect expiratory flow changes and patient triggering.

The OPA module 118 sends an OPA breath type to the inspiratory module 104. The OPA breath type refers to a type of ventilation in which the ventilator 100 acts as an inspiratory amplifier that provides pressure support to the patient. The degree of amplification (the “percent support setting”) is determined by the support module 117 based on a retrieved desired patient effort range. The percent support setting determines how much support is provided by the ventilator 100. For example, if the percent support setting is 30%, then the ventilator provides a total pressure to the patient of which 70% is due to the patient effort (generation of muscle pressure) and the remaining 30% is due to the ventilator work, as estimated from the instantaneous flow or other monitored parameters based on the patient effort model used.

In an embodiment, the OPA breath type determines a target airway pressure by utilizing the percent support setting and the following equation:

Target Airway Pressure(t)=k[E _(p) ∫Q _(p) dt+Q _(p) R _(p)]

The percent support setting (k) is held constant over one breath. Every computational cycle (e.g., 5 milliseconds, 10 milliseconds, etc.), the ventilator calculates a target airway pressure, based on the received percent support setting from the support module 117.

The OPA module 118 begins inspiratory assist when a trigger is detected and/or when the at least one monitored parameter is detected by the OPA module 118. However, if the patient ceases triggering inspiration, the assist also ceases. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the OPA module 118 includes a safety feature that has the ventilator 100 deliver a breath to the patient or switches the breath type to a non-spontaneous breath type if a patient trigger is not detected for a set period of time or based on the occurrence of a set event. This safety feature ensures that if a patient stops triggering, the patient will not stop receiving ventilation by the medical ventilator.

The support module 117 retrieves a desired patient effort range for the OPA breath type. The desired patient effort range represents a desired parameter from the patient effort profile over each breath. The desired patient effort may be a maximum, mean, root mean square (RMS), minimum or any other appropriate statistic of the a pressure waveform or patient muscle waveform during one or a window of multiple breaths. The desired patient effort range (such as a desired peak muscle pressure) may be retrieved from input or a selection by the operator of the ventilator 100 or may be retrieved from a determination made by the ventilator 100. The ventilator 100 may determine the desired patient effort range based on patient parameters and/or ventilator parameters. In some embodiments, the support module 117 receives the desired patient effort range from the treatment module 119, processor 116, and/or operator interface 120.

The desired patient effort range is a range of patient effort that should provide benefits to the patient. In some embodiments, the desired patient effort range prevents muscle atrophy from non-use while at the same time prevents muscle fatigue from over-loading. In further embodiments, determining a desired patient effort range based on a desired treatment metric range in combination with adjusting one or more ventilator parameters to maintain a current treatment metric in the desired treatment metric range to improve the ventilator's treatments of certain conditions, such as reducing the amount of time the ventilator takes to wean a patient from ventilation.

In some embodiments, the desired patient effort range is from about 5 cm H₂0 to about 10 cm of H₂0. In other embodiments, the desired patient effort range is from about 4 cm H₂0 to about 12 cm of H₂0. In some embodiments, the desired patient effort range is from about 6 cm H₂0 to about 9 cm of H₂0. The desired patient effort range may include a solitary value. Accordingly, the desired patient effort range may be 5 cm of H₂O, 6 cm of H₂O, 7 cm of H₂O, 8 cm of H₂O, 9 cm of H₂O, or 10 cm of H₂O. These lists are not meant to be limiting. Any suitable patient effort range for improving the health of the patient may be utilized by the ventilator 100.

The support module 117 utilizes the retrieved desired patient effort range to estimate an initial percent support setting. The initial percent support setting as used herein is the percent support setting applied to at least the first breath delivered to the patient during execution of the OPA breath type. The support module 117 estimates the initial percent support setting, k, by utilizing the follow equation based on the equation of motion when given the other parameters:

Patient Effort(t)=(1.0−k)[E _(p) ∫Q _(p) dt+Q _(p) R _(p)].

The ventilator utilizes an initial support setting and predetermined settings for the remaining parameters that cannot be determined since this is the first delivered breath. The predetermined settings may vary based on other parameters input by the clinician.

The support module 117 sends the initial percent support setting to the OPA module 118. As discussed above, the OPA module 118 then utilizes the initial percent support setting to calculate an initial target airway pressure to deliver to the patient 150. The OPA module 118 then causes the ventilator 100 to deliver the initial target airway pressure in at least the first breath provided to the patient during the utilization of the OPA breath type. Accordingly, the OPA module 118 may send the target airway pressure and/or instruction for delivering the target airway pressure to at least one of the processor 116, pneumatic system 102, inspiratory module 104 and/or the controller 110.

After the delivery of the first breath during the OPA breath type, the ventilator 100 calculates the current or actual patient effort exerted by the patient during the first breath and calculates the current patient effort periodically after the first delivered breath. Any component of the ventilator 100 may perform this step, such as the pneumatic system 102, controller 110, processor 116, support module 117, or OPA module 118. For example, the ventilator 100 may calculate the current patient effort for every delivered breath or every breath delivered after a predetermined amount of time or after a predetermined event. The current patient effort or actual patient effort as used herein represents the amount of patient effort exerted by the patient within the last computational cycle for the last delivered breath. The current patient effort is calculated based on the equation of motion and estimated patient parameters. The parameter representing the actual patient effort may be derived from the calculated patient effort profile over each breath. It may be defined as the maximum, mean, root mean square (RMS), or any other appropriate statistic of the actual muscle pressure waveform during one or a window of multiple breaths. The ventilator 100 estimates patient parameters based on the measurements directly or indirectly related to monitored patient parameters. In some embodiments, the estimated patient parameters include lung compliance (inverse of elastance) and/or lung/airway resistance. In further embodiments, the estimated lung compliance, lung elastance and/or lung/airway resistance are estimated based on monitored flow and/or the equation of motion. The estimated patient parameters may be estimated by any processor found in the ventilator 100. In some embodiments, the estimated patient parameters are calculated by the controller 110, the pneumatic system 102, and/or a separate computing device operatively connected to the ventilator 100.

In one embodiment, the support module 117 or any other suitable ventilator component compares the current patient effort with the desired patient effort range. If the support module 117 or any other suitable ventilator component determines that the actual or current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range, the support module 117 after receiving notification that or after determining that the current patient effort in within the desired patient effort range, sends the previously utilized percent support setting to the OPA module 118. In some instances, the previously utilized percent support setting may be the initial percent support setting. If the support module 117 or any other suitable ventilator component determines that the current patient effort is outside of the desired patient effort range, the support module 117 after receiving notification that or after determining that the current patient effort in not within the desired patient effort range, utilizes an optimization algorithm to adjust the percent support setting. Example optimization algorithms are listed below in the example section. The adjusted percent support setting (k) is held constant over one breath. The support module 117 sends the adjusted percent support setting to the OPA module 118. The OPA module 118, as discussed above, calculates the target airway pressure based on the percent support setting received from the support module 117, whether the percent support setting is an adjusted percent support setting, an initial percent support setting, and/or the previously utilized percent support setting. As discussed above, the target pressure is calculated every control cycle using the adjusted percent support setting by the ventilator 100.

Determining a desired patient effort based on desired treatment metric range can improve patient treatment, such as reducing weaning time and minimizing lung injury. A treatment metric is a ventilator parameter that is indicative of how well a patient treatment is going. In some embodiments, the treatment metric includes RSBI, SpO₂, P₁₀₀, oxygen index, end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂ or EtCO₂), tidal volume, VCO₂, respiratory rate, spontaneous I:E ratio, and a minute volume. The treatment module 119 receives a desired treatment metric range from the operator. The treatment module determines a desired patient effort range based on the received desired treatment metric range. The determined desired patient effort range is selected in attempt to help the patient achieve a current treatment metric within the desired treatment metric range. The treatment module sends the determined desired patient effort range to the appropriate ventilator component, such as the processor 116, support module 117 and/or the OPA module 118.

Once the ventilator 100 establishes a current patient effort within the desired patient effort range, the treatment module 119 determines if the current treatment metric is within the desired treatment metric range. The desired treatment metric range is a range of a ventilator parameter that improves the treatment of the patient. For example, if the treatment metric is RSBI, the desired treatment metric range may be a range of an RSBI of less than 105, which helps to decrease the amount of time a ventilator 100 takes to wean a patient 150 from ventilation. In some embodiments, the treatment metric range may not be a range and instead may be a solitary value, such as an RSBI of 100. The current treatment is metric as used herein represents the treatment metric as measured or determined by the ventilator 100 for the patient within the last computational cycle or for the last delivered breath depending upon the treatment metric utilized. In some embodiments, the treatment metric is derived from the calculated profiles over each breath. In some embodiments, the treatment metric is the maximum, mean, root mean square (RMS), or any other appropriate statistic of the waveform during one window or a window of multiple breaths.

In some embodiments, the treatment module 119 determines and adjusts the ventilator parameters and their derivatives based on weighted and/or trended desired treatment metric ranges input by the clinician. The treatment module 119 adjusts the percent support setting and the ventilator parameters by utilizing algorithms and optimization programming techniques to provide advisory input and/or automatic adjustments to ventilation parameters (e.g., oxygen percentage) and/or a timed changes in ventilation modality (patient-triggered or ventilator-driven breath delivery) to increase the efficiency and confidence in the predictive nature of the treatment success/failure indices. The ventilator parameters are adjusted based on treatment optimization algorithm. Example treatment optimization algorithms are listed below in the Example section. In other words, the algorithms and optimization programming techniques adjust the percent support setting and the one or more ventilator parameters in an attempt to improve patient treatment (i.e., maintain a current treatment metric within a desired treatment metric range).

The treatment module 119 sends the determined desired patient effort range to the support module 117. The support module 117 utilizes the determined desired patient effort range received from the treatment module 119 to calculate the percent support setting. The treatment module 119 sends the determined and/or adjusted one or more ventilator parameters to the appropriate component or components of the ventilator 100, such as the pneumatic system 102, controller 110, and/or processor 116, of the ventilator 100 for changing the one or more ventilator parameters.

In one embodiments, the treatment algorithm and/or optimization programming utilized by the treatment module 119 incorporates an internal model of the patient respiratory system in interaction with the ventilator 100 to address the relevant interactive dynamics between the patient 150 and the ventilator 100 as well as model and predict changes in patient's respiratory behavior and therapeutic outcome in response to the ongoing treatment protocol delivered by the ventilator 100. In some embodiments, the internal model for the treatment algorithm and/or optimization programming incorporates mechanisms for estimating system parameters (respiratory resistance, compliance, and etc.). Additionally, the treatment algorithm and/or the optimization programming utilized by the treatment module 119 may include features to estimate, model, or predict dynamics related to the functioning and interrelationships between inputs (e.g., percent support, SpO₂, oxygen mix, and etc.) and output (generated patient effort over time). In further embodiments, the treatment algorithm includes mechanisms to estimate physiologic-based and/or hardware-based dynamics (transients, delays, and etc.).

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an embodiment of a method 200 for ventilating a patient with a ventilator that utilizes an OPA breath type. FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of method 200A for ventilating a patient with a ventilator for the first breath delivered during the OPA breath type. FIG. 2B illustrates and embodiment of method 200B for ventilating a patient with a ventilator for every breath delivered after the first breath during the OPA breath type.

The OPA breath type delivers a target airway pressure calculated based on a desired patient effort range. The desired patient effort range allows the ventilator to maintain a desired patient effort by adjusting a percent support setting. Further, the ventilator can maintain the patient effort to prevent muscle atrophy from non-use while at the same time preventing muscle fatigue from over-loading. Further, determining a desired patient effort range based on a desired treatment metric range in combination with the adjustment of ventilator parameter to maintain a desired treatment metric range can be utilized to improve the treatment of a patient on a ventilator.

As discussed above, method 200A illustrates the method for delivering the first breath during an OPA breath type. Accordingly, method 200A begins after the initiation of ventilation during an OPA breath type.

As illustrated, method 200A includes a retrieving operation 206. During the retrieving operation 206, the ventilator retrieves a desired patient effort range. The desired patient effort range represents a desired parameter from the patient effort profile over each breath. The desired patient effort may be a maximum, mean, root mean square (RMS), minimum or any other appropriate statistic of the a pressure waveform or patient muscle waveform during one breath or a window of multiple breaths. In one embodiment, the desired patient effort range (e.g., a desired peak muscle pressure) is retrieved from input or a selection made by the clinician. In this embodiment, the desired patient effort range does not change unless another range is entered by the clinician. In one embodiment, the desired patient effort ranges is from about 5 cm of H₂O to about 10 cm of H₂O. In other embodiments, the desired patient effort range is from about 4 cm H₂0 to about 12 cm of H₂0. In some embodiments, the desired patient effort range is from about 6 cm H₂0 to about 9 cm of H₂0. The desired patient effort range may not even be a range at all, but rather be a set value. Accordingly, the desired patient effort range may be 5 cm of H₂O, 6 cm of H₂O, 7 cm of H₂O, 7.5 cm of H₂O, 8 cm of H₂O, 9 cm of H₂O, or 10 cm of H₂O, for example. These lists are not meant to be limiting. Any suitable patient effort range to improve the health of the patient may be input by the operator and/or utilized by the ventilator.

In another embodiment in which the ventilator is attempting to improve the treatment of the patient by determining the desired patient effort range based on a desired treatment metric range, the desired patient effort range is retrieved from a determination made by the ventilator during the retrieving operation 206. In this embodiment, the ventilator also retrieves during the retrieving operation 206 one or more one ventilator parameters from a ventilator determination about whether or not the current treatment metric is within the desired treatment range. An embodiment of a method for improving the treatment of the patient by utilizing a desired treatment metric range is illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed in detail below.

Method 200A also includes an estimating operation 208. During the estimating operation 208 the ventilator estimates an initial percent support setting based on the desired patient effort range. The initial percent support setting as used herein is the percent support setting applied to at least the first breath delivered to the patient during execution of the OPA breath type. The initial percent support setting (k) is held constant over one breath. In one embodiment, the support module estimates the initial percent support setting by utilizing the follow equation based on the equation of motion:

Patient Effort(t)=(1.0−k)[E _(p) ∫Q _(p) dt+Q _(p) R _(p)].

The ventilator selects a Patient Effort (t) from the desired patient effort range and utilizes predetermined settings for the remaining parameters that cannot be determined since this is the first delivered breath. The predetermined settings may vary based on other parameters input by the clinician.

Next, method 200A includes a calculating first target airway pressure operation 210. During the calculating first target airway pressure operation 210, the ventilator calculates a first target airway pressure based on the initial percent support setting. The first target airway pressure is calculated for a point in the ventilation circuit that is proximal to the lung and would best assist the patient's inspiratory muscles to the degree as estimated in the initial percent support setting. The target airway pressure is calculated based on the equation of motion, such as by utilizing the following equation:

Target Airway Pressure(t)=k[E _(p) ∫Q _(p) dt+Q _(p) R _(p)].

Method 200A also includes a first delivery operation 212. During the first delivery operation 212, the ventilator delivers a target airway pressure to a patient. The target airway pressure is delivered after an inspiratory trigger is detected. A patient trigger is calculated based on the at least one monitored parameter, such as inspiration flow. In some embodiments, sensors, such as flow sensors, may detect changes in patient parameters indicative of patient triggering. The target airway pressure delivered by the ventilator during the first delivery operation 212 is an initial target airway pressure calculated by the ventilator based on the initial percent support setting.

After the delivery of the target airway pressure by the ventilator during first delivery operation 212, the breath cycles to exhalation. As discussed above, method 200B illustrates the method for delivering any breath after the delivery of the first breath during an OPA breath type. Accordingly, method 200B begins during exhalation after any breath delivered during the OPA breath type.

As illustrated, method 200B also includes the retrieving operation 206. During the retrieving operation 206, the ventilator retrieves the current desired patient effort range. In some embodiments, the ventilator during the retrieve operation 206 further retrieves the desired treatment metric range, the current treatment metric, and one or ventilator parameters based on the desired treatment metric range. The desired patient effort range is changed by clinician input and/or a ventilator determination. For example, the clinician may change the desired patient effort range from 5 cm of H₂O to 10 cm of H₂O to a range of 7 cm of H₂O to 9 cm of H₂O. In another example, the ventilator determines a patient effort range based on an input desired treatment metric range from an operator. In another embodiment, the clinician enters a new desired treatment metric range, such as a new RSBI setting range, which may be retrieved by the ventilator during the retrieving operation 206. Accordingly, the ventilator during retrieving operation 206 continuously retrieves the currently desired patient effort range and/or desired treatment metric range for the OPA breath type.

Further, method 200B includes a calculating current patient effort operation 214. During the calculating current patient effort operation 214, the ventilator calculates the current patient effort. The current patient effort or actual patient effort as used herein represents a time profile that depicts the amount of effort exerted by the patient during the last delivered breath. The current patient effort is calculated every control cycle based on the equation of motion and estimated patient parameters. The ventilator estimates patient parameters based on the measurements directly or indirectly related to monitored patient parameters. In some embodiments, the estimated patient parameters include lung compliance (inverse of elastance) and/or lung/airway resistance. In further embodiments, the estimated lung compliance, lung elastance and/or lung/airway resistance are estimated based on monitored flow and/or the equation of motion. The estimated patient parameters may be estimated by any processor found in the ventilator.

Next, method 200 further includes a decision operation 216. The decision operation 216 determines if the current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range. The ventilator during decision operation 216 utilizes the most updated desired patient effort as retrieved by the ventilator during the retrieving operation 206. If the ventilator during the decision operation 216 determines that the current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range, then the ventilator selects to perform delivery operation 222. If the ventilator during the decision operation 216 determines that the current patient effort is not within the desired patient effort range, then the ventilator selects to perform calculating adjusted percent support setting operation 218.

Method 200 includes a calculating adjusted percent support setting operation 218. During the calculating adjusted percent support setting operation 218, the ventilator calculates or determines an adjusted percent support setting. In one embodiment, when the current patient effort is greater than the desired patient effort range, the ventilator increases the percent support setting during the calculating adjusted percent support setting operation 218. In an alternative embodiment, when the current patient effort is below the desired patient ranges, the ventilator decreases the percent support setting during the calculating adjusted percent support setting operation 218. In one embodiment, the ventilator adjusts the percent support setting by utilizing an optimization algorithm during the calculating adjusted percent support setting operation 218. Example optimization algorithms are listed below in the Example section.

Next, method 200 includes a calculate an adjusted target airway pressure operation 220. During the calculate operation 220, the ventilator calculates an adjusted target airway pressure based on the received adjusted percent support setting. The adjusted target pressure is calculated every control cycle using the adjusted percent support setting by the ventilator during the calculate an adjusted target airway pressure operation 220. The adjusted support setting (k) is held constant over one breath. The adjusted target airway pressure is calculated for a point in the ventilation circuit that is proximal to the lung and would best assist the patient's inspiratory muscles to the degree as estimated in the initial percent support setting. The adjusted target airway pressure as used herein is the most recently calculated target airway pressure after the calculation of the initial target airway pressure. Accordingly, the adjusted target airway pressure may change periodically based on changes in at least one of the percent support setting, current patient effort, and/or the desired patient effort range. The adjusted support setting (k) is held constant over one breath. The adjusted target pressure is calculated every control cycle based on the equation of motion, such as by utilizing the following equation:

Target Airway Pressure(t)=k[E _(p) ∫Q _(p) dt+Q _(p) R _(p)]

Next, method 200 includes an adjusted delivery operation 224. During the delivery operation 224, the ventilator delivers the adjusted target airway pressure to a patient. The ventilator delivers the adjusted target airway pressure to the patient after the detection of a patient initiated inspiratory trigger.

Further, method 200 includes a previous delivery operation 222. During the delivery operation 222, the ventilator delivers the previously delivered target airway pressure to the patient based on the previous percent support setting. The ventilator delivers the previously delivered airway pressure to the patient after the detection of a patient initiated inspiratory trigger. The previously delivered target airway pressure as used herein is the target airway pressure that was delivered during the last preceding breath. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the previously delivered target airway pressure is the initial target airway pressure. The previously delivered target airway pressure is the initial target airway pressure if the initial percent support setting caused the patient to exert a patient effort within the desired patient effort range. In another embodiment, the previously delivered target airway pressure is a previously adjusted target airway pressure. The previously delivered target airway pressure is a previously adjusted target airway pressure if the previously adjusted percent support setting caused the patient to exert a patient effort within the desired patient effort range.

In some embodiments, method 200 includes a display operation. The ventilator during the display operation displays any suitable information for display on a ventilator. In one embodiment, the display operation displays at least one of the current patient effort, the desired patient effort range, the desired treatment metric range, the current treatment metric, the RSBI, the SpO₂, the P100, the tidal volume, the VCO₂, the respiratory rate, the spontaneous I:E volume, the minute volume, the initial percent support setting, and the adjusted percent support setting.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method 300 for ventilating a patient with a ventilator based on a desired treatment metric range during an OPA breath type. In embodiments, method 300 is performed for every breath or in a predetermined number of breaths.

As illustrated, method 300 includes a receiving operation 301. During the receiving operation 301, the ventilator receives a desired treatment metric range. The desired treatment metric range is received from input or a selection by the clinician. A treatment metric is a ventilator parameter that is indicative of how well a patient treatment is going. In some embodiments, the treatment metric includes RSBI, SpO₂, P₁₀₀, oxygen index, ETCO₂, tidal volume, VCO₂, respiratory rate, spontaneous I:E ratio, and a minute volume. In some embodiments, the treatment metric range includes a trended or weighted combination of at least one of RSBI, SpO₂, P₁₀₀, oxygen index, ETCO₂, tidal volume, VCO₂, respiratory rate, spontaneous I:E ratio, and a minute volume. The desired treatment metric range is a range of a ventilator parameter that improves the treatment of the patient. For example, if the treatment metric is RSBI, the desired treatment metric may be a range of an RSBI of less than 105, which helps to decrease the amount of time a ventilator takes to wean a patient from ventilation. In another embodiment, the desired treatment range is represented by a solitary values, such as and RSBI of 100.

Next, method 300 includes a determining operation 302. During the determining operation 302, the ventilator determines the desire patent effort range based on the received desired treatment metric range. The determined desired patient effort range should help the patient achieve a current treatment metric within the desired treatment metric range. The current treatment metric as used herein represents the treatment metric as measured or determined by the ventilator for the patient within the last computational cycle or for the last delivered breath depending upon the treatment metric utilized. In some embodiments, the treatment metric (whether current or desired) is derived from the calculated profiles over numerous breaths. In some embodiments, the treatment metric is the maximum, mean, root mean square (RMS), or any other appropriate statistic of the waveform during one window or a window of multiple breaths.

As illustrated, method 300 includes a monitoring operation 303. During the monitoring operation 303, the ventilator monitors patient parameters. In some embodiments, the patient parameters include the current treatment metric and the current patient effort. The monitoring operation 303 may be performed by sensors and data acquisition subsystems. The sensors may include any suitable sensing device as known by a person of skill in the art for a ventilator. In some embodiments, the sensors are located in the pneumatic system, the breathing circuit, and/or on the patient. In some embodiments, the ventilator during the monitoring operation 303 monitors patient parameters every computational cycle (e.g., 2 milliseconds, 5 milliseconds, 10 milliseconds, etc.) and/or during the delivery of the control pressure. In other embodiments, the trend of the monitored patient parameters are determined and monitored.

Next, method 300 includes a first decision operation 304. The ventilator during first decision operation 304 determines if current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range for at least two consecutive breaths. The ventilator determines if the current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range based on the monitored parameters and/or the received ventilator parameters. If the ventilator during the decision operation 304 determines that the current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range for at least two consecutive breaths, then the ventilator selects to perform second decision operation 305. If the ventilator during the first decision operation 304 determines that the current patient effort is not within the desired patient effort range for at least two consecutive breaths, then the ventilator selects to perform monitoring operation 303.

Next, method 300 includes a second decision operation 305. The ventilator during second decision operation 305 determines if the current treatment metric is outside of the desired treatment metric range. The ventilator determines if the current treatment metric is outside of the desired treatment metric range based on the monitored parameters and/or the received ventilator parameters. If the ventilator during the second decision operation 305 determines that the current treatment metric is not outside of the desired treatment metric range, then the ventilator selects to perform maintaining operation 306. If the ventilator during the decision operation 304 determines that the current treatment metric is outside of the desired treatment metric range, then the ventilator selects to perform adjusting operation 308.

Method 300 includes a maintaining operation 306. During the maintain operation 306, the ventilator maintains the current one or more ventilator parameters. Accordingly, the ventilator utilizes the one or more ventilator parameters as was utilized during the previous breath and/or control cycle. If there was no previous breath and/or control cycle, the ventilator during maintaining operation 306 utilizes predetermined ventilator parameters as set by the ventilator or as set by the operator. In one embodiment, the ventilator parameters include at least one of an oxygen percentage, a rise time, a trigger sensitivity, a peak flow rate, a peak inspiratory pressure, a tidal volume, and a PEEP.

Method 300 also includes an adjusting operation 308. During the adjusting operation 308, the ventilator adjusts the ventilator parameters based on the determination that the current treatment metric is not within the desired treatment metric range. The ventilator adjusts the ventilator parameters by utilizing algorithms and optimization programming techniques to provide advisory input and/or automatic adjustments to ventilation parameters and/or a timed changes in ventilation modality (patient-triggered or ventilator-driven breath delivery) to increase the efficiency and confidence in the predictive nature of the treatment metric. In other words, the ventilator during adjusting operation 308 adjusts the ventilator parameters in an attempt to make the next measured current treatment metric within the desired treatment metric range.

In one embodiment, the treatment algorithm and/or optimization programming incorporates an internal model of the patient respiratory system in interaction with the ventilator to address the relevant interactive dynamics between the patient and the ventilator as well as model and predict changes in patient's respiratory behavior and therapeutic outcome in response to the ongoing treatment protocol delivered by the ventilator. The control system design of the treatment module is envisioned to optimize convergence of the control output or desired patient effort. In some embodiments, the internal model for the treatment algorithm and/or optimization programming incorporates mechanisms for estimating system parameters (respiratory resistance, compliance, and etc.). Additionally, the treatment algorithm and/or the optimization programming may include features to estimate, model, or predict dynamics related to the functioning and interrelationships between inputs (e.g., percent support, SpO₂, oxygen mix, and etc.) and output (generated patient effort over time). In further embodiments, the treatment algorithm includes mechanisms to estimate physiologic-based and/or hardware-based dynamics (transients, delays, and etc.). For instance, an example treatment algorithm is listed below in the Example section.

The ventilator retrieves the desired patient effort range and the one or more ventilator parameters as determined by the ventilator during the maintaining operation 306 and the adjusting operation 308 during retrieving operation 206 for utilization in method 200. Accordingly, the ventilator during the retrieving operation 206 may retrieve a determined desired patient effort range and an adjusted one or more ventilator parameters or may retrieve the previously retrieved one or more ventilator parameters for use in method 200.

In some embodiments, a microprocessor-based ventilator that accesses a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of ventilating a patient with a medical ventilator is disclosed. This method includes repeatedly performing the steps disclosed in method 200 and/or method 300 above and/or as illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and/or 3.

In some embodiments, the ventilator system includes: means for retrieving a desired patient effort range; means for estimating an initial percent support setting based on the desired patient effort range; means for calculating a target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting; and means for delivering the target airway pressure to a patient. In some embodiments, the ventilator system further includes: means for calculating current patient effort; means for determining if the current patient effort is above the desired patient effort range; and means for calculating an adjusted percent support setting that is greater than the initial percent support setting. In some embodiments, the ventilator system further includes: means for calculating current patient effort; means for determining if the current patient effort is below the desired patient effort range; and means for repeatedly calculating an adjusted percent support setting that is less than the initial percent support setting.

EXAMPLES

The examples listed below are exemplary only and not meant to be limiting of the disclosure.

Example 1

Example 1 illustrates an embodiment of a pseudo code for the systems and methods of the disclosure. The control objective is to maintain a defined metric of patient's respiratory effort (peak inspiratory muscle pressure (Pmus)) within a desired range by automatic adjustment of the “Percent Support Setting” parameter in an Optimized Proportional Assist Ventilation. The pseudo code illustrated below utilizes an algorithm that incorporates the following aspects:

-   -   The “Percent Support Setting” parameter is constrained between 0         and 100%.     -   The minimum increment/decrement for “Percent Support         Setting”=1.0%     -   The “Percent Support Setting” parameter is adjusted every N         breaths.     -   The “Desired Range” (Upper Bound=uBound, Lower Bound=1Bound) is         given.     -   The desired bounds are constrained to lie between 0 and a         feasible maximum range (with consideration of disease state).     -   The mid-point inside the desired range is the optimum value     -   The average of Peak Pmus over N breaths (AveragePmus) is the         metric of choice

Sample Algorithm:

The example implementation is envisioned to be done in two stages: (1) bring the measured Peak Pmus within the Desired Range, and (2) optimize measured Peak Pmus to the optimum value. The pseudo code embodiment utilizing the algorithm described above is listed below (different sections of the pseudo code are divided by asterisks):

For every breath number i: // increment breath count, and decide if it is time for adjustment   MakeAdjustment (i)=false;   Inc BreathCount; //Check if it is time for the next adjustment, i.e., the window of N number of breaths have passed;  check if the total number of breaths counted is a multiple of the selected window (N). If (MOD(BreathCount, N)=0) MakeAdjustment(i)= true; ************************************************************** // Determine the operating zone.   If ((AveragePmus)> uBound)     Direction (i)=1   Else     If ((AveragePmus)< lBound)     Direction(i)=−1     Else     Direction(i)=0 Else   Skip Adjustment ************************************************************************** *** //Make adjustment algorithm If (MakeAdjustment(i)= true)   If (Direction(i)=0); Optimization Stage (Direction=0)     Run Determine Optimized Percent Support;(algorithm below)   Else; Bring-In Stage (Direction=1 or −1)     If (Measured Metric>uBound)       ControlError=Measured Metric−uBound;     Else       ControlError=Measured Metric−lBound;     If (ABS (ControlError)>(uBound−lBound)) ; ABS( )=absolute value function       controllerGain(i) =0.5     Else       controllerGain(i)=0.2     If (Direction(i)≠Direction(i−1)); zero-crossing is detected       controllerGain(i)= controllerGain(i−1)/2.0;     New PercentSupportSetting=Previous PercentSupportSetting+ controllerGain(i)* ControlError; ************************************************************************** ** // Determine Optimized Percent Support Setting Algorithm   OptError=(uBound+lBound)*0.5− Measured Metric;   Use Gradient Descent optimization method to minimize (ABS(OptError)); Broadly speaking, increase/decrease PercentSupportSetting by 1 single point (minimum allowable change) to determine the value that would minimize the magnitude of OptError.

Example 2

Example 2 illustrates an embodiment of a pseudo code for the systems and methods of the disclosure. The control objective is to optimize the treatment outcome based on a defined metric of weighted outcome results. The optimization is achieved by automatic controlling and adjusting ventilator parameters. Patient's respiratory effort (peak inspiratory muscle pressure) is maintained within a desired range by automatic adjustment of the “Percent Support Setting” parameter in Optimized Proportional Assist Ventilation.

The pseudo code illustrated below utilizes an algorithm that incorporates the following aspects:

-   -   Outcome parameters include: RSBI (Breath Rate/Tidal Volume;         weaning index), SpO₂ (patient's blood Oxygen saturation), and         etCO₂ (end tidal CO₂).     -   Ventilator settings allowed for automatic adjustment: Percent         Support Setting (PAV), O₂%, PEEP.     -   The “Percent Support Setting” parameter is constrained between 0         and 100%.     -   O₂% is constrained between 21% and 100%.     -   PEEP is constrained between 0 cmH2O and 25 cmH2O.     -   Optimum outcome parameter ranges: RSIB <105         ((breath/minute)/liter), 92%<SpO₂<99%, 38 mmHg<etCO₂<46 mmHg.     -   The minimum increment/decrement for “Percent Support         Setting”=1.0%     -   The “Percent Support Setting” parameter is adjusted every N         breaths.     -   The “Desired Range” (Upper Bound=uBound, Lower Bound=1Bound) of         patient effort (Pmus) is given.     -   The desired Pmus bounds are constrained to lie between 0 and a         feasible maximum range (with consideration of disease state).     -   The average of Peak Pmus over N breaths (AveragePmus) is the         metric of choice for achieving the desired range.

Sample Algorithm:

The pseudo code embodiment utilizing the algorithm described above is listed below: The example implementation is envisioned to be done in two stages:

-   -   (1) Stage I: Bring the measured Peak Pmus within the Desired         Range by adjusting the Percent Support Setting, and;     -   (2) Stage II: While maintaining the Pmus within the desired         range (by keeping the Percent Support Setting at the level         determined in stage 1 and adjusting it if needed), adjust other         ventilator parameters allowed to optimize the treatment outcome         or treatment metric.     -   (3) Use the following Cost Function (C) for Stage II         optimization:         -   Optimization Goal: {Minimize C};         -   C=α*WeaningMetric+β*OxygenationMetric+Ω*VentilationMetric;         -   A, β, and Ω are relative weighting coefficients             (range=0.00−1.00).         -   WeaningMetric=(measured RSBI−105);         -   OxygenationMetric=             -   (93−measured SpO₂) if measured SpO₂<93             -   0 if measured SpO₂>92         -   VentilationMetric=             -   (40−measured etCO₂) if measured etCO₂<40 mmHg             -   (measured etCO₂−45) if measured etCO₂>46 mmHg             -   0 if 39<measured etCO₂<46                 Stage 1(PAV Percent Support Setting Adjustment): see the                 Adjustment part of the Example 1 above for algorithms to                 bring in and maintain peak Pmus within the desired                 range.

Stage 2 (Outcome Optimization):

-   -   Maintain the peak Pmus within the desired range (by keeping the         Percent Support Setting at the level determined in stage 1 and         adjusting it if needed).     -   Use appropriate Reinforcement Learning and Dynamic Programming         algorithms (for example, Gradient Descent) for multiple input         parameters to optimize the weighted cost function C by         programmed adjustments to PEEP and O₂% within their respective         allowable ranges.     -   Provide progress reports (statistics, plots, etc.) as         appropriate for monitoring purposes.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems of the present disclosure may be implemented in many manners and as such are not to be limited by the foregoing exemplary embodiments and examples. In other words, functional elements being performed by a single or multiple components, in various combinations of hardware and software or firmware, and individual functions, can be distributed among software applications at either the client or server level or both. In this regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into single or multiple embodiments, and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or to become known. Thus, myriad software/hardware/firmware combinations are possible in achieving the functions, features, interfaces and preferences described herein. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure covers conventionally known manners for carrying out the described features and functions and interfaces, and those variations and modifications that may be made to the hardware or software firmware components described herein as would be understood by those skilled in the art now and hereafter.

Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure and as defined in the appended claims. While various embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the present invention. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure and as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for ventilating a patient with a ventilator comprising: retrieving a desired patient effort range; estimating an initial percent support setting based on the desired patient effort range; calculating a target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting; and delivering the target airway pressure to a patient.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: calculating a current patient effort; determining that the current patient effort is outside of the desired patient effort range; and calculating an adjusted percent support setting based on the step of determining that the current patient effort is outside of the desired patient effort range.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: calculating an adjusted target airway pressure based at least on the adjusted percent support setting; and delivering the adjusted target airway pressure to the patient.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: calculating the current patient effort; determining that the current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range; and delivering a previously delivered target airway pressure to the patient based on the step of determining that the current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving a desired treatment metric range from an operator; determining the desired patient effort range based on the desired treatment metric range; determining that a current treatment metric is not within the desired treatment metric range; and adjusting at least one ventilator parameter until the current treatment metric is within the desired treatment metric range.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one ventilator parameter is at least one of oxygen percentage, rise time, trigger sensitivity, peak flow rate, peak inspiratory pressure, tidal volume, and PEEP.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the desired treatment metric range is at least one of a trend and a weighted combination of at least one of RSBI, SpO₂, P₁₀₀, Oxygen index, ETCO₂, tidal volume, VCO₂, respiratory rate, spontaneous I:E ratio, and a minute volume.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the desired treatment metric range is a range of at least one of RSBI, SpO₂, P₁₀₀, Oxygen index, ETCO₂, tidal volume, VCO₂, respiratory rate, spontaneous I:E ratio, and a minute volume.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a desired treatment metric range from an operator; and determining the desired patient effort range based on the desired treatment metric range.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the target airway pressure is calculated utilizing a following equation: Target Pressure(t)=k[E _(p) ∫Q _(p) dt+Q _(p) R _(p)].
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired patient effort range is received from at least one of an operator via operator selection from a group of desired patient effort ranges, the operator via an input of a desired patient effort parameter, the ventilator calculated based on at least one of an at least one monitored patient parameter and ventilator parameters, and the ventilator via a selection from a group of predetermined patient efforts ranges based on at least one of the at least one monitored patient parameter and the ventilator parameters.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired patient effort range is from about 5 cm of H₂O to about 10 cm of H₂0.
 13. A ventilator system comprising: a pressure generating system adapted to generate a flow of breathing gas; a ventilation tubing system including a patient interface for connecting the pressure generating system to a patient; one or more sensors operatively coupled to at least one of the pressure generating system, the patient, and the ventilation tubing system, wherein the one or more sensors generate output indicative of an inspiration flow; a support module that estimates an initial percent support setting based at least on a desired patient effort range and calculates at least one adjusted percent support setting based at least on the desired patient effort range, and a current patient effort; and an OPA module, the OPA module calculates an initial target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting, calculates at least one adjusted target airway pressure based at least on an adjusted percent support setting, and utilizes the output indicative of the inspiration flow to determine a patient trigger for delivery of a breath to the patient.
 14. The ventilator system of claim 13, further comprising: a treatment module, the treatment module determines the desired patient effort range based on a desired treatment metric, range received from operator input and adjusts at least one ventilator parameter if a current treatment metric is not within the desired treatment metric range while the current patient effort is within the desired patient effort range for at least two consecutive breaths.
 15. The ventilator system of claim 14, wherein the at least one ventilator parameter is at least one of oxygen percentage, rise time, trigger sensitivity, peak flow rate, peak inspiratory pressure, tidal volume, and PEEP.
 16. The ventilator system of claim 14, further comprising a display that displays at least one of the current patient effort, the desired patient effort range, the desired treatment metric range, a current treatment metric range, a RSBI, a SpP₂, a P100, a tidal volume, a VCO₂, a respiratory rate, a spontaneous I:E volume, a minute volume, the initial percent support setting, and the adjust percent support setting.
 17. The ventilator system of claim 14, wherein the support module calculates the at least one adjusted percent support setting when the current patient effort is outside of the desired patient effort range.
 18. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of ventilating a patient with a ventilator, the method comprising: repeatedly retrieving a desired patient effort range; estimating an initial percent support setting based on the desired patient effort range; repeatedly calculating a target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting; and repeatedly delivering the target airway pressure to a patient.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: repeatedly calculating a current patient effort; repeatedly determining if the current patient effort is above the desired patient effort range; and repeatedly calculating an adjusted percent support setting that is greater than the initial percent support setting.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: repeatedly calculating a current patient effort; repeatedly determining if the current patient effort is below the desired patient effort range; and repeatedly calculating an adjusted percent support setting that is less than the initial percent support setting.
 21. A ventilator system, comprising: means for retrieving a desired patient effort range; means for estimating an initial percent support setting based on the desired patient effort range; means for calculating a target airway pressure based at least on the initial percent support setting; and means for delivering the target airway pressure to a patient. 